sklarek



Dec. 1s, 192s. 1,695,509

c. sKLAREK DIRIGIBLY MOUNTED LIGHT Original Filed Sept. 29.. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l www" lll @ff/@565 M75/27%?? JT fe Mii@ Dec. 1s, 192s. ,1,695,509

` C. SKLAREK DIRIGIBLY MOUNTED LIGHT Original Filed Sept. 29. ).921 2 shetssheet 2 n niv) Patented Dec. 18, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,695,509- PATENT OFFICE.

CLIFFORDv SKLAREK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, .ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL SPOT- LIGHT CORPORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION F ILLINOIS.

DIRIGIBLY-IYLGNTED LIGHT.

Application tiled September 29, 19217, Serial No. 504,184. Renewed June 9, 1928.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in dirigibly mounted lights, and more p: t-icularly to dirigibly mounted lights adapted to be employed as a spotlight mounted on the Wind shield of an open automotive vehicle or on the superstructure of a closed type of automobile.

One object of the invention is to provide a light which is universally adjustable by means of a single operating element and more particularly such a light adapted to be employed as a spotlioht for automobiles 'and othe.1 automotive vehicles. y

Another object of the invention is to provide a universally vadjustable light of the character indicated which is of :oinpact form, attractive appearance, Weatherprotected, easily attachable to automobiles of either the open or closed types, and one wherein the operating member is conveniently positioned for manipulation by the driver.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter followin ln the drawings forn'iing a vpart of this specification, Figure l av vertical sectional vieu', taxen iliagonallythrough the corner post of the sinierstrueture of a closed type of automobile and. showing my improvements in connection therewith.' Figure 2 is a horiontal sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure l and corresponding substantially to the section line Q-Q thereof, a part at the inner end of the operating element being broken away. Figure 3 is anenlaro'cd vertical sectionalview illustrating` cei n details of construction and corr ending substantia-illy to the line .3-3 of F Figure l is an end elevation of the operating elcuient looling from the right toward the left. as vicwcdiin Figure l. Figures 5 and t5 are vertical sectional lviews upon an enlarged scale corresponding substantially to tliesection lines 5-5 and (3-6 of Figure l. Figure 7 is an enlarged if'ertical sectional View illustrating the :focus-adjusting means and corresponding substantially to the line 7 7 ofFigure l. Figure 8 is a'horizontal sectional view eorrespondin to the line 8--8 of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a top plan view ofV another vembodiment of my improvement showing the saineas applied. to the Windshield stru'cture of an open type of automobil s the Windshield and top-supportiiig-post being shown in horizontal. section. Figure .gure l.

l0 is a vertical detailed sectional View corresponding to the section line 10H10 of Figure 9. And Figure ll is an enlarged detail sectional view of a portion of the operating rod D illustrating certain details of an improved electrical system employed With my device.

Refer ing first to the construction illustrated in Figures l to 8 inclusive, 20 denotes the lefthand front corner post of th-e superstructure of a closed type of automobile such as a sed an or limousine, 2l the front glass or *indshield and the side glass.

ln carrying out my invention, I employ, broadly, a supporting and securing bracket A; a housing proper B a supplemental housing or lamp-holding member C; an operating rod or element D; and certain other details of construction hereinafter described.

The bracket A is preferably in the form of `a casting having a vertically extending' flange by which it is adapted to be screwed or otherwise secured to the post said bracket A is also providedwith an outwardly extended integral hub 2li having a bearing 25 eX- tending tl'ierethrough perpendicular to the postQO, the latter being also formed with an alined opening 2G. The hub 24C is also provided with an annular groove 27 for the purpose hereinafter described.

The housing B has the main portion thereof preferably formed conical with the larger end adjacent the bracket A., said end as indicated at 28 being' cylindrical and fitting over the hub 2l. Said cylindrical end 28 is preferably slit at the bottoni as indicated a 29 in Fig'. 3, the split ends receiving a tightening bolt 30 therethrough so that the desired friction may be created between the housing' B and the hub Q/t to prevent accidental slippage or rotation of the housing` B, the housing' itself actii'ig as a friction clamp, as will be. understood. 'lhreaded through the cylinflrical end 2S ata point (iliainetrically opposite io holt 3() is a plug 3l having an inner reduced end, 32 of cylindrical forni which traves within-the annular groove 27. Vith this construction, it Will be obvious that the housing B is swivclled or rotatably mounted en the block A to turn on a horizontally eX- tending axis. Y

ln certain cities, ordinances are in effect which limit the field ofthe spotliuht proj ection, in order to prevent directing ya glare of light into the eyes of pedestrians or operators of ruppositely moving vehicles, When it is deiergeeo` (itl ie terminated in a bruslrtvi` Which-contacts With"an: insulatedrontact pinf irhavirig fa; rounded 'top` and seated axially "inf the shatt 42; as best shown iniFg; 6." Fgro'inthe con- 'tactpin' is extended a wire 6e'whichleads"V to the )roper' contacten the `basent the lampy 55.1. lll ith: this' arrangement," it AWillbbev observedthat *an electric circuit- Fcan alu/*aye beinaintained regardless ofthe dilferenturelative positions of the variousparts of the lamp' structure. From` the 'switch block 56 Ithe ein" cuit. witlnthe source of .supplyi-is` effected by a wire 6T"Whichleads out throughfasuitable opening:providedinthe element as shown' Vinh gpl.' K Y lt ist` often desirable 'to' adj ust `,the electric bulliinAnder to obtain the proper focus with respect to the usual par-abolier mirror (S8- For this; purpose, the base ol the'electri'cbulbisformed on one 'side thereof nf'itli a short rack 69 with which meshes .Vasn'lall gear 7()A car# riedon the upper end oth shatt'l Wlnc'his extended downwardly througli'th casing-39y and has a turning` knob 72 thereon; To'frici tionally hold the 'shaftTl aguinzlit vibratie/11" and accidental turning;- an adjustable' collar 'T3 is applied lthereto andtbetween said collar and reinforcing-j bearingjbloclt Tet se- 'mi euredto the casing Bljis interposed aspring SQliefa 4suppleinental:bracket 83." The latter has a lug ISat extending rmi'rwalrdly thereircnn said lugv being vertically pertorated.= The liour-:invf,Y LB" of the lamp structure is rotatably swivclled on a brat-liet A2 in the salue manner as shown inFig. 1. S' l bracket Agis' proL vided with laterally extended upperfand lower `perforated 'ears Seu-S5 lwhich' straddle j the lug u84.y a bolt S etl'eetingthe pivotal conueetion jthcrcbet\`veen.t` lvlitlr this arrange nient, it is evident that the housing B" and parte separated there'lroin incltulingl the op'- eruting element D are adjuetzvble abouta vertical axis ou the bolt thereby pernnt-' tingtbe operating e 'of fthe clement D to bepositioned convenient 4to the driver of the automobile. v

As n'ill be evidentyi'fro'in the precedingrde* ecriptlom the oj'ierating element 'Dean be rotated. indetlnitelyyin :the saine direction. It'

iscus'toniaryto bringlthe electric Wire from tliebattcry throughaprotected flexible cable and rin order to avoid 'any possibility ofthe cablefor i Wire therein becomingA vrbroken or kinked due vtocontinuedrotation of thefoperatingl element D in the saine direction; I'bave j provided "th'efarrangement shown in Figure;

ll." As shown in' saidl liglie," the operatingrn element Die* provided'with'anfannular groove SOzth ere in and with: an annula r contact ri-ng;

8l mounted fluebiWith-the surface ot the eleb nient D "and *insulateditheretreni b yia--suit-l able band of insulating material 82 seat'edfiirr a 'groove provided tl'ierefdr inthe element D. A sectioirot the cable `for enclosing the Wirenf 'for tliespot^''l,iglit'is indicated atf83 and thef latter is A attached to a 1blocll v of insulating material whichsurrounds and is freely rotatable on the tubelile operatingelement-fD.y Tivo Wires Iand 86 come from thccable--88, the 'Wire 8? "being'velectrically `connected with a spring-controlled plunger 87 adapted to Worli`1-witliinthe annular vrounded groove 550.l This 'forins the ground yside ot-thefcirouitl for-the light5 Vas will be obvious.- Theotlier wire is electricallyconnected witbier-Simblar spring-pressed metal plunger- 88 solocated l as to contact with thecontact Lring :81 fronr whichris lead intotheiinterior ofthe element Dita. -Wire 89. l

The Wire 89 Ais`electrically=eonnectedfto a epring-controlled plunger 90 inountedlineal blockj oit inslidatingg'#material "91 `rigid-1y securedfwitlrin tlieJ-end/Tot fthe tube'operatingj @lenient D. The fblockQl alsocarries another Whi cli' electrically conueetedlwith a `wire A93 i leading to Vthe lamp inqthe case ot thewire 58 show-nfinr Figure l. f and-previouslydein scribed." The two4` spring-,presenti contacti pins `for plungers 90 and 92' are` adapte-d to effect electrical contactar i icontaetplates f and respectivelycarriedfatlthe inner-end@ oit-*the switch block-'156 which' is mounted Within the operati-ng handle as `previonzsly described 'in connection -With-Fignirel- The ele"'riealarrangement juet `describecl l alloue ot a. circuitI always vbeing obtained "lor thelznnp regardless otthc position otlthc Jaligbt'nnd wit"will"fbenoted tthat ythere if no danger ofthe cable 88or--wires therein-'oni lurcoiuinel stretched; blolienorz-klnked since the -lcadin bloeleS/t "ill: remainsubstanti ally stationary regardless of the-rotat-hm of he elei'nent ln commercialpractice, itmvill" be obeervedthat the operating clement D can be passed threugh the-post Q() oit the Ieiuitoruobilesuperstructure 'While'tho'blocli and lnmdle with itsf-switeh block 15G! are removed. After theoperat-ingelement :D hte been inscrtedthroughlthefpost QOgtlie block". 4l Withl the parte assembledlthere'in is then` slippedlengthufise oi the opcratingrod until the Contact pin- S'drops intothe groove 80A thereby preventing;accidental shiftingl of 'tbc block 84 lengthwise of the element D. The ineulatinglblocltl 'carrying the Contact pins. Qt) and 92 will of coursebe aesenibled within the opcratingelenient D before shipment and lien-ce, by appyli'ng; the handle --3`wvith the switch bl'dck ldthereinto the operatie g1 ele@-v lll() llo' ment l), after the block Se has been applied as above described, the electrical circuit can be completed. With this arrangement, there is practically no possibility of anyone assembling the parts incorrectly, the arrangement is exceedingly simple, compact and Weather pi'otected.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out the invention but the same is merely illustrative and Icontemplate all changes and modifications that come Within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim 1. In a dirigible light, the combination with a supliortiiig housing mounted for rotation about one axis and having driving means secured there n, of a light holder mounted for rotation about ana-xls disposed at an angle to said first axis and having driving means secured thei'eon; and an operating member extending Vinto said housing having a plurality of operating means fixed thereon, said rmeans being shiftable into operative relation with the driving means on said support or said holder. Y

2. In a dirigible light, the combination with a bracket; of a housing rotatably mounted on said bracket to turn about one axis; a amp holdingl member rotatably mounted on said housing to rotate about an axis transverse to said first name( a rotatable and axially movable operating element extending into'the housing; co-acting clutch members fixed tosaid housing and element respectively; and co-acting gears fixed to said inembei' and element respectively.

3. In a dirigible light, the combination withabracket; of a housing swivelled there.- on to rotate about one axis; an operating element extending axially from said housing and rot ible about said axis; cooperable means i'igitly fixed to said housing' and element respectively for effecting rotationv of said housing upon rotation of said. operating element; a lanip-liolding member rotatably mounted on said housing about an axis perpendicular to saidfirst named axis; .and con operable means rigidly fixed respectively to said operating element and si id lamp-holding member for effecting rotation of' the latter aliiout its said axis' upon rotation of said element about its axis.

4. ln a dirigible light`r` the combination with a bracket; of :i housing sivivelled thereon to about one axis; an operating element disposed axially of and extending into iefaid botsing and rotatable about said axis; cooperable means directly carried by said housing and eiemeiit respectively for effectw ing rotation of said housing upon rotation of said o aei'ating element; a lamp-lioldingmemm bei* rotatably 'n'iounted on said housing about an axis perpendicularly to said first named cooperable means carried directly by cured to the superstructure ot an automobile said operating element and by said lamp-hold ing member respectively for effecting rotation ofthe latter about its said axis upon rotation of said element aboutits axis, said operating element being axially movable to alter-y inoperative relation with respect to said sec-.

ond named cooperable means.

' 5. In a dirigible light, theV combination with a bracket; of a housing sWivelled there on to rotate about one axis; an operating element extending axiallypfrom said housing and rotatable about said axis; clutch elements directly fixed to said housing and operating element respectively for effecting rotation of the housing upon rotation off the element; a lamp-holdingmember rotatably mounted on said housing about an axis perpendicular to said first named axis; and coeperable bevel gears rigidly fixed to said operating element and said lamp-holding member respectively to effect rotation of the latter upon rotation of said element. n

6. In a dirigible light, the combination With a supporting member; of a housing rotatably mounted on said supporting member about one axis; an electric lamp-holding member rotatably mounted on said housing about an axis transverse to the first named.

axis; a. hollow operating element rotatable' about said first named axis and movable axially; means for effecting rotation of said housing and said second named member Vabout their respective axes upon rotation of Within said operating element said housing Y and said second named member, said electrifcal connections including co-acting contact members fixed tothe housing, lamp holding member and operating element respectively,

whereby, said connections are operative in any Vaxial position of the `operating element.

7. ln a dirigible light, the combination with a supporting` bracket adapted to be or the like; of a housing swivelled on said bracket to rotate about a substantially horizontally extending axis, said housing being hollow and having an inwardly extending flange-shoulder therein; an operating ,ele iene rotatable about the axis` of rotation vof said housing and extending' Within the latter;

a clutch element onthe interior of said housing; a cooperable clutch element carried by said operating element; spring means inter-` lill) operating v element adapted normally to maintain said clutch elements in cooperative relation but permitting axial movement of said operating element with respect to the housing; a lamp-holding member adjustably mounted on said housing; and cooperable means on said lamp-holding member and said operating element for effecting adjustment of said lamp holding member with respect to the housing.

8. In a dirigible spotlight, for automobiles of the closed type, the combination with 'a bracket adapted to be secured to a member of the automobilesuperstructure, said bracket having a journal bearing opening extending therethrough adapted to aline with a similar opening in the post; a housing rotatably mounted on said bracket about a substantially horizontally extending axis; a. lampholding member rotatably mounted on said housing about an axis atright angles to said first named axis; an operating element journaled in said bearingand adapted to extend through the alined opening of the post to the interior of the automobile superstructure, said operating element being also axially movable; and cooperable means'between said operating element and said housing and between said operating element and said lampholding member for eiiecting rotation of the housing and lamp-holding member about their respective axes upon rotation of said operating element.

9. In a dirigible light mounting, the combination with an adjustable lamp holder and a rotatable operating element therefor; oi an electric lamp proper carried by said holder; and electrical connections to said lamp proper from a source of current outside of said operating element and through the latter to the said lamp proper, said electrical connections including, a relatively stationary lead in contact means loosely7 rotatable with respect to and on said operating element, and a contact member carried by said operating element whereby the latter may be freely rotated without danger of breaking the connections between the source or current and the operating element. Y

10. In a dirigible light mounting, the combination with an `adjustable lamp holder and a rotatable operating element therefor; of an electrical lamp proper carried by said holder; and electrical connections to said lamp proper from a source of current outside of said operating element and through the latter to the said lamp proper, said electrical connections including, a contact ring on the exterior of said element, a contact block loosely rotatably mounted on said element, a spring-controlled contact carried by said block and engageable with said ring, and connections carried from said ring through said element to the lamp proper.

11. In a dirigible light mounting, the combination with an adjustable lamp holder and a rotatable operating element therefor; ot' an electrical lamp proper carried by said holder; and electrical connections to said lamp proper from a source of current outside of said operating element and through the latter to the said lamp proper, said electrical connections including, a contact ring on the exterior of said element, a contact block loosely rotatably mounted on said element, a springecontrolled contact carried by said block and engageable with said ring, and

connections carriedifrom said ring through' said element to the lamp proper, said latter connections including a manually controlled switch mounted on the operating element.

l2. In a dirigible light mounting for automobile windshields and the like, the combination with a supporting bracket, and a lamp holder universally adjustable with respect to said bracket; of an operating element olf hollow tubular form for effecting adjustment of the lamp holder; an electric lamp proper carried by said holder; an insulated contact ring on the exterior oi said operating element; a leadin block loosely rotatably mounted with respect to and on said operating element, said lead-in block having a spring-control]ed contact pin engageable with said contact ring; means preventing accidental shifting oi said lead-in block longitudinally of the operating element; a handle mounted on said operating element; a switch block mounted in said handle; insulated spring-controlled contact pins mounted on said operating element and adapted to effect electrical connection with said switch when the latter is applied with the handle on the operating element; and electric wire connections from said contact ring to one of said last named Contact pins and from the other of said last named contact pins to the lamp proper.

I3. In a diri gible light mounting, the combination with a support; of a hollow member rotatable thereon .about one axis; a second member rotatably mounted on the .first member about an axis transverse to the ,'[irst named axis, said second member having a hollow spindle extending axially therefrom into the first named member; a hollow operating member' rotatably mounted axially within said irst namedl member and adjustable axially thereof; cooperable gears on said spindle and the adjacent end of said operating member; an insulated contact pin mount ed in the end of said operating member adjacent the spindle and projecting from the operating member toward the spindle; a resilient contact ele-ment carried by said first nam-ed member and insulated therefrom and `with which said contact pin engages in any axial position ofthe opera-ting member; a second contact pin mounted in said spindle and insulated therefrom and extending from the end thereof; a brush in contact with the lill llU

extended end ofseid lest neined pin, Suid brush being electrically connected with said resilient Contact element. Y

lll. In a device of the character described, the combination with :i 'lamp heed adapted toliouee the light proper; et' e Support fer Said head provided with a partition; means for adjnsting' rthe lmnp head to different post' tiene, including :L shaft carrying the lmnp heed, seid ehnt being' rotatably sup ported by said' partition; and means, formingone eide of an electric circuit to said lmnp5 Seid ineens including an insulated Contact pin, carried axially by said shaft lend extending Slightly beyond one end thereof, :ind n Contact brush lixedly seenred to Said support :it one Side ol said partition and extending through said partition and being ifferined to eieCt axial engagement with the end of seid pin.

l5. In. a device the character' described, the combination with e lmnp head adapted te house ther-liredit proper; of :t Support for seid heed provided with :i partition; menne for moving the lamp heed toJ diferentpositiene, including;` :i ShaftV 'connected with the lmnp heed, seid` shaft being rotatably supported and eXtendingA from one side to the other of Seid 'mi'titiongl and menne for forniing one eide of an electric Circuit to enid lmnp, eziid menneincluding zin insulated Contact pin ezii'iied axially liyeziid shaft and extending-Slightly beyond one end the1eof,end a Cont-etA hi'rieh mounted in seidV Support nn-.il extending' te opposite sides of said partition and having ineens at one eide Lof said Partitiondieposed in axial engngeinent Witn the adjacent end of seid Contact pin.

In Wit-nese that I c in the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my neme this 15th dey of Septeinliierll. Y

'CLIFFORD SKLAREK.

Til 

